WELLSVILLE, NY — The Alfred University softball team opened its 2005 Empire 8 Conference schedule with a split of a doubleheader with visiting Utica College Friday at Quackenbush Field in Wellsville.

AU (7-5, 1-1 Empire 8) won the first game, 5-1, before dropping the nightcap, 5-4.

AU was on the verge of a sweep, leading the second game 4-2, before the visitors scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Junior Heidi Brooks (Wayland, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) took the loss on the mound, despite striking out six and allowing only four hits.

Sophomore catcher Gretchen Weidner (Eden, NY/Eden) and junior first baseman Emilie Vicchio (Shaker Heights, OH/Shaker Heights) each went 2-4 with a double and a run batted in to pace AU. Brooks (1-4 with a triple) and sophomore third baseman Lauren Mastin (Springwater, NY/Wayland-Cohocton) (1-4 with a double) each had RBIs for Alfred.

Rightfielder Megan Cross led Utica (3-5, 1-1 Empire 8) with a double and two RBIs, while centerfielder Laura Meagher had a hit and scored twice. Stephanie Festa got the win on the mound for Utica, going seven innings and striking out two while allowing nine hits.

In the first game, junior Brittany Curran (Alfred, NY/Alfred-Almond) pitched a solid seven innings for AU, scattering six hits and striking out 11. Mastin had a pair of doubles in three at bats for the Lady Saxons, driving in two runs and scoring one. Designated hitter Jen Close (Lodi, NY/South Seneca) had a double and a RBI, while senior second baseman Andrea Crandall (Alfred, NY/Alfred-Almond) and senior leftfielder Courtney Briganti (Canisteo, NY/Canisteo) each had a hit and a run batted in.

Leftfielder Kristen MacDonald led Utica with three hits and a run batted in. Festa took the loss on the mound, allowing eight hits and striking out three in six innings of work.

Alfred is in action next on Monday, April 4, for a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Fredonia.